Two children, Jake & Ísa, travel through 3 different biomes in Brazil, together with their father, the filmmaker João. Through the help they need to offer to an animal in danger, they uncover the importance and mysteries of each of these biomes. Divided into 3 chapters: The Wolf, The Termites and the Lobeira (about the Cerrado); The Jaguar and the Alligator? (about the Pantanal) and O Mico Leão Dourado (about the Atlantic Forest). The documentary will bring to our children, in a playful way, the importance of preserving Brazilian biomes.

“Jake and Isa and the Secrets of Brazil” is a documentary series aimed at children aged 3 to 6. It features puppets as the main characters and seeks to spark children’s interest in Brazilian culture. The series showcases the country’s cultural diversity through the eyes of two children, Thiago and Ísis, who are 5 and 7 years old, respectively. In each episode, Thiago and Ísis set off with their father João (also a puppet) to discover a cultural tradition from different regions of Brazil and learn how these traditions are passed down from parents to children. The children take part in preparing the festivities, making decorations, and rehearsing dances and songs, offering them hands-on experience and insight into Brazil’s rich cultural diversity. Each episode culminates in a big celebration at the end.

Recent extreme climatic events have struck around the world and also in Brazil, such as strong rains in the north of the country and the dramatic drought in the State of Sao Paulo that took water reserves down to critical levels. These events remind us of the increasingly fragile nature of our species when faced with the changes taking place on our planet.

All over the world, a new economic class is emerging and it has an insatiable hunger to consume, in a world where resources have become more and more scarce every day.

Looking at all the types of crises from the economic ones to the environmental ones and observing the wars fought over energy and natural resources, we must ask ourselves how we can survive as a species in the 21st century.

It is from within this scenario that the series “Survival Manual for the 21st Century” emerges. Presented by Marcos Palmeira, the series aims to illustrate how we might focus on reestablishing our post-collapsed society. Punctuated with dynamic animations and a bold soundtrack, the “Manual” shows how we can produce our own food, establish bartering systems and solidarity currencies, develop machines with open code technologies, construct a shelter using local materials, and create resilient and self-sustainable communities. Essentially, this series points out possible solutions for our Planet Earth, currently in a state of crisis. The series will air on the CineBrasil TV channel in the second semester of 2017.

Bela Roots is a series of 13 episodes, each lasting 13 minutes. The series aims to offer alternative and holistic ways towards improved health. The natural food chef Bela Gil is the star of this series. During each episode, she will travel to a region of Brazil to meet shamans, medicine men, root doctors and other types of representatives from traditional communities, and visit the female leaders that keep these traditions alive. Bela will go to isolated quilombos and riparian and indigenous populations, among others, to discover how ancient customs, traditional medicine, food preparation and the choice of ingredients influence everyone’s health.

Bela’s Roots

(IN DEVELOPMENT)

The documentary “Pesticides Without Borders: A Global Dilemma” delves into the inequality of pesticide regulation between countries in the Global North and South. Featuring Larissa Bombardi, a geographer and one of the leading researchers on the subject, the film reveals how substances banned in Europe continue to be produced and exported to developing countries, exposing millions of people to serious health and environmental risks. Sharing her personal and professional journey, Larissa conducts interviews with experts, activists, and affected communities, highlighting the struggles for fairer and more sustainable global regulation. The documentary seeks to raise public awareness of the urgent need for action to protect human health and the environment.

(IN DEVELOPMENT)

“Bridge between Giants” celebrates more than half a century of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China, revealing how this partnership has become a global reference in South-South cooperation. The documentary presents a narrative in three acts that intertwines history, culture, technological innovation and sustainability, highlighting initiatives such as Sponge Cities in China, Agroforests in Brazil, and the joint construction of CBERS satellites. With testimonies from figures such as Dilma Rousseff, Mauro Vieira, Marina Silva, Wang Chuanfu, Peggy Liu and Victor Gao, the film highlights how the collaboration between these emerging powers goes beyond trade and is shaping a new global paradigm based on complementarity, innovation and mutual respect. A visual journey that connects past, present and future in search of a truly sustainable and multipolar world.

(IN DEVELOPMENT)

The documentary series “Politics: Feminine Noun” will consist of 10 episodes, each lasting 13 minutes, exploring the trajectory, challenges, and perspectives of women in Brazilian politics. Each episode follows a character in her political routine, highlighting her achievements, difficulties, and moments of confronting structural sexism. In recent years, Brazil and the world have witnessed a new wave of female mobilization. From movements such as #JustiçaPorMarielle and #MulheresNaPolítica to demonstrations against political gender violence and for equal pay, female engagement has grown, echoing in initiatives that have strengthened the presence of women in parliaments and decision-making. In 2023 and 2024, massive protests against gender violence and campaigns for women’s occupation of positions of power expanded this struggle. The series draws on this new phase of female leadership, highlighting the diversity of trajectories, challenges, and ideologies that permeate Brazilian politics.

(IN DEVELOPMENT)

“The Children’s Circle – with Paulo, the Questioner” is an educational children’s series that blends fantasy and reality to promote curiosity, critical thinking, and transformative action among children aged 6 to 9. With short 7-minute episodes, the series combines charismatic puppets, real children, 2D animations, and interactive regional music, creating a fun, affectionate experience deeply engaged with the values of Paulo Freire’s liberating education. The central character, Paulo (Puppet)—inspired by educator Paulo Freire—acts as a mediator rather than a protagonist: he is the one who encourages children to think, ask questions, decide, act, and evaluate. With his active listening and his memorable phrase — “What do you think about that?” — he encourages the protagonism of the children, who occupy the center of the stories, solving everyday challenges and proposing solutions based on their own contexts and experiences. The series takes place in studios that simulate educational spaces such as squares, schools, libraries, and backyards, but also takes the camera to the real Brazil, through mini-documentaries with children from different cultures, accents, and experiences. The presence of puppets (Cléo, Beto, and Nina) brings a playful and symbolic tone, building a bridge between imagination and practice, between dreams and transformation. In each episode, the dialogue between the real and the symbolic reinforces Freire’s principle that “learning is an act of freedom” and that every child has a voice—and a world to transform.

(IN DEVELOPMENT)

Isis, a curious and courageous young girl, embarks on an exciting journey to save Pequi, a maned wolf threatened by the destruction of the savanna by a powerful multinational corporation. Alongside her brother Thiago and her father João, Isis faces challenges that transform her into a true heroine, guided by dreams and a deep connection with nature. In this adventure that combines puppets, music, and animation, Ísis’ determination will be tested in a battle against greed, as she discovers the secrets of the savanna and fights to protect this unique biome. Above all, the journey, full of mysteries and self-discovery, becomes a rite of passage for Ísis, marking her transition from childhood to adolescence, as she discovers the power of courage and environmental preservation.

Orozimba and the Oboe is a fantastical story of a nine-year-old girl who, along with her pet vulture Mimi, lives out the adventure of saving a swamp and her father from the clutches of the evil scientist called Faustino. Along the way, Orozimba discovers her African and indigenous origins and finds out that she has magic powers: she possesses the power of music – when she plays the oboe (which belonged to her mother), she is able to communicate with the plants and animals around her, enchanting them into doing good deeds.

But the oboe disappears and she will do everything in her power to get it back. Clever and intelligent, she reveals the mysteries of nature and becomes a great defender of the forest. Throughout various adventures, she makes several friends and gets to know the universe and swamp creatures much better. She discovers that her father has been put under a spell and has ordered his factory to produce a rejuvenating miracle cream, which also has a destructive effect on the swamp. Produced by Amorim Filmes and directed by João Amorim.

Orozimba – OnePager

Biblia Orozimba

In 2017, Sesame Street returned to Brazil, now as Sesame. In a partnership with TV Culture and TB Brasil, Sesame Workshop produced two new seasons with 26 episodes each. Since 2014, Amorim Filmes has been overseeing all of Sesame’s content production here in Brazil. João Amorim signs off as the director and main producer of the two seasons. Included on this show reel version are several campaigns for Sesame that were produced by Amorim Filmes and directed/produced by João Amorim.

Composed of 26 new animated episodes, the series “Elmo’s Challenge” brings together the beloved characters from the Sesame Street show as they live out typical daily situations. When they need to solve problems like, “Which healthy foods should we take on a picnic?”, “What things can we donate to a library?”, “What can we do to save electricity?” or “How can we plan how to become soccer players?” then Elmo and his friends find themselves on a fun “game show”, hosted by the clumsy Grover. Produced by Amorim Filmes and directed by João Amorim.

Public service campaigns produced by Amorim Filmes, and directed by João Amorim for Sesame Workshop and Metlife Foundation.

Tom and Sophie go into their room to play, where they imagine a fantasy world and transform many objects and furniture and where they become superheroes ready for action. The two siblings hold each other’s hands, close their eyes and say: “Imagine, imagine, so a new story can start to happen!” That’s when the monsters Loodo and Mona appear, fruits of their imagination; Mona jumps out of the closet and Loodo appears out from under the bed. Loodo and Mona, Tom and Sophie’s “alteregos”, represent their anxieties, fears and desires, and they give form to their fantasies. Loodo and Mona always come telling of problems from their monster world and they ask superheroes Tom and Sophie to help them solve problems and unmask mysteries that are similar to those the kids experience in the real world.

Once the adventure is over, after Tom and Sophie have helped their monster friends, the children’s mother opens the bedroom door and calls them; Monsters Loodo and Mona immediately return to their normal hiding places. Tom and Sophie answer their mother: “We’re coming, Mommy! We just finished our game!” From behind the clothes, Mona winks to the camera. Loodo grabs a hidden tennis shoe to chew on.

Lilo’s GardenO curioso e esperto Lilo coloca seu cinto de utilidades e seu chapeuzinho (uniforme de explorador da natureza) e vai brincar no jardim de casa. De repente, algo lhe desperta a curiosidade: uma fila de formigas carregando folhas; um casulo de lagarta; as formas das nuvens levadas pelo vento; o surgimento de um arco-íris; uma poça d’água com girinos.

Lilo segue o objeto de sua curiosidade: “Eu queria muito saber… Por que as formigas andam em fila?”, “Por que a lagarta faz um casulo?”; “Como as nuvens andam no céu?”; “Como surge um arco-íris?” Nesse momento, ouve um assobio e vê uma rajada de vento por entre as árvores: é Flora, a fada da Floresta, sua melhor amiga, em cima de sua folha voadora, sempre fazendo aterrissagens desastradas: “Não há mistério que Flora e Lilo não possam descobrir!”.

Flora faz uma mágica com sua varinha para que ela e Lilo possam ora encolher para entrar no mundo minúsculo dos insetos, ora voar até o ninho das aves ou ainda mergulhar na lagoa dos girinos. A natureza é sempre animada, os animais, as plantas, todos os seres convidam os personagens para viverem uma grande aventura. Quando Lilo e Flora retornam da viagem, dizem: “Uau! A natureza é mesmo mágica”!

The curious and clever Lilo puts on his utility belt and his hat (an outdoor explorer uniform) and goes out to play in the garden. Suddenly, some scenes grab his attention: a line of ants carrying leaves; a caterpillar in a cocoon; the shapes of clouds blown in the wind; a rainbow that appears; a little pond with tadpoles in it.

Lilo feeds his curiosity: “I really want to know… Why do ants walk in a line?”; “Why do caterpillars make cocoons?”; “Why do clouds float through the sky?”; “What makes rainbows appear?” Just then he hears a whistle and a strong wind blows through the trees: it’s Flora, his best friend, riding on top of her flying leaf and as usual, she makes a disastrous landing: “There’s no mystery that Flora and Lilo can’t unveil!”

Flora uses her magic wand to make her and Lilo able to either shrink to fit into tiny insect worlds or able to fly up to birds’ nest or even dive down into the tadpoles’ pond. Being in nature is always exciting and the animals, plants and all the forest creatures invite these characters to live out great adventures. When Lilo and Flora return from their trip, they say: “Wow! Nature really is magical!”

The Wolfy’s Gang and his five inseparable friends, the Nine-banded Armadillo, the Golden Lion Tamarin, the Jabiru Bird, the Blue Land Crab, and the Woodpecker, are trailblazers that travel can always be found with a world map in hand, headed towards the destination of their choice. A bit bumbling, they always seem to get lost and just when they think they’ll never reach their destination they start to notice the nature around them: the characteristics of the vegetation and climate. Then they realize they are finally where they wanted to get to. Relieved, they are then ready to enjoy their outing and find out all about that biome, but they end up coming across some animal or plant that needs their help.

The Maned Wolf and his gang get into big trouble in order to save their new friends: natural dangers like rushing water currents, heavy rain, predators, hunters and wildlife traders, among others. With courage and wisdom, they manage to solve each dilemma.

Wolfy’s Gang – One Pager.pdf

In October of 2004, 13 indigenous grandmothers from all over the world – from North, Central and South America, from Asia and from Africa – came together for the first time. Following that initial meeting, the International Council of the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers was created. They meet twice a year in different locations in order to conduct their prayers and to work towards peace and environmental protection. In October of 2011, it was Brazilian Grandmother Maria Alice Campos Freire’s turn to welcome the council here in Brazil, and the meeting included the participation of grandmothers from different Brazilian traditions and other indigenous leaders. Water was chosen as the theme for that year’s meeting.

This film registered that gathering.

A 30-minute film about the event “The Voice of the Grandmothers – In the flow with water” that took place in October of 2011, in Brasilia. Long live the new paradigm.

Agroforestry, presents the fascinating trajectory of the Barra de Turno farmers in the Vale do Ribeira. Originally working on the clearing and burning of trees, they had depleted their lands. The film shows how the introduction of the agroforestry system revolutionized the lives of more than 100 families. Today, almost 17 years after Cooperafloresta began, through the Agroforestry project, ideas about sustainable forest agriculture reached the Movimento Sem Terra – MST, where fruit trees are getting planted in areas that had been degraded by monoculture. As Mr. Zaqueu says in the film: “The MST has the technology to bring people together, and Coopera has the technology to bring plants together.” The film shows how we can use a sustainable alternative in agriculture, avoiding further destruction to the planet.

What is floating?

A float tank contains 1,000 liters of a saturated solution of a super mineral, magnesium sulfate, widely known as Epsom Salt, creating an environment similar to that of the Dead Sea and making it possible to float effortlessly on the water’s surface. The water is also heated to skin temperature, making it virtually impossible to feel which parts of the body are touching the water and which aren’t! It actually feels like you’re floating on a cloud!

NASA uses this floating technique so that astronauts may experience the feeling of zero gravity in preparation sensations they will have out in space. Unless you are an astronaut, floating is the only way your body will ever be free of gravity. This sensation of zero gravity allows you to relax every muscle in your body, neck, arms and back – even your ears relax. Float therapy is sure to relieve pain in the tense areas of your body.

“2012- Time for Change” aims to present an optimistic alternative to the apocalyptic view that exists regarding the year 2012. The film follows American Daniel Pinchbeck as he searches out a new paradigm between the ancient wisdom of tribal cultures and scientific method. The film suggests that the year 2012 could mark the birth of a regenerative culture on the planet. The documentary mixes animation with interviews with specialists from different areas and aims to call highlight the influence that each person has on their environment. Also participating in the film are scientists, anthropologists and artists dedicated to various different causes, like actor Ellen Page, musician Sting, director David Lynch and Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil. Directed and produced by João Amorim.

This show reel contains various documentaries produced by Amorim Filmes. The majority of the films have a socio-environmental twist to them. Among them are: 2012 Tempo de Mudança (2012- Time for Change), A Voz das Avós (The Voice of the Grandmothers), Agroflorestar (Agroforestry) and Água e Cooperação (Water and Cooperation). “2012- Time for Change” aims to present an optimistic alternative to the apocalyptic view that exists about the year 2012. The film follows American Daniel Pinchbeck as he searches out a new paradigm between the ancient wisdom of tribal cultures and scientific method.

Rio+20 Rio+Green Workshop: An Introduction to Permaculture and Agroforestry Systems in the Complexo do Alemão favela slum in Rio, a path towards a green economy.

“Inspired by the theme chosen by the United Nations Organization for World Water Day in 2013, the film WATER AND COOPERATION proposes a transdisciplinary view of water that reveals several paths towards a more cooperative and sustainable relationship with this element, the basis for all life on our planet.” The film also includes songs by Seu Jorge, Karina Zeviani, Os Mocambo and Bené Fontelles, along with interviews with: Leonardo Boff, Vandana Shiva, Amit Goswami, Benke Ashaninka, Dr. Vicente Andreu, Maria Alice Campos Freire, Ernst Götsch, Vera Catalão, Bené Fontéles, Masaru Emoto, Prem Baba, Nelton Friedrich, Carlos Nobre, Celso Amorim and Jeanitto Gentilini, among others.

Trailer for the TV Series. Pippo and Peppino are two gangsters with Italian roots that live out ridiculous situations full of irony and sarcasm, with an intelligent and distorted sense of humor, where Peppino always gets the short end of the stick when he’s with his partner, Pippo.

Pippo and Peppino – One Pager.pdf

In 2007, João Amorim directed the animation in the film “Footsteps in Africa” about the Tuaregs, a nomadic people that currently live mainly in Mali.

Commercials directed by João Amorim in 2006 while at Curious Pictures, for BMW X5 and BMW E92.

Commercials directed by João Amorim in 2006 while at Curious Pictures, for BMW X5 and BMW E92.

Animated short film that received awards from the AnimaMundi, Fica and various other festivals, directed by João Amorim and deals with the theme of recycling batteries.

The Oceana NGO public service campaign, directed by João Amorim and about the threat looming over marine life.

Campaign directed by João Amorim for the 2012 Sebrae Challenge. It combines stock images and motion graphics.

While he was at Curious Pictures, João Amorim was the Director of Animation for the Chicago 10 film, which opened Sundance in 2007 and for which he was nominated for an Emmy for the Best Use of Animation in a Documentary, in 2009. Chicago 10 has a different take on the infamous Democratic National Convention of 1968. Using a large cast of voices, together with a mixture of stock images and animation, C10 tells the story of eight protestors who were arrested and accused of conspiracy after the violent anti-war protests in Chicago.

Commercial directed by João Amorim in 2007 while he was at Curious Pictures, for the TV Plasma Panasonic and broadcast during the Super Bowl.

The documentary series presented by Zeca Baleiro talks about innovation and sustainability in Brazilian industry. Punctuated with several moments of animation, the series aims to show how innovation helps industry to make advances. It went aired in 2012 on Canal Futura.

A New Green World

A series produced for Current TV on the subjects of expanding consciousness and sustainability, directed by João Amorim and Nikos Katsaounis.

Separate your trash, banana. Recycling services campaign for Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment, directed by João Amorim.

The short film was directed and animated by João Amorim, who satirizes NYC’s ex-mayor, Rudolph Giuliani

This show reel compilation contains several animation projects created by João Amorim and his collaborators throughout the years.